About the Book

This thoroughly engaging, concise book tells the story of California's most precious resource, tracing the journey of water in the state from the atmosphere to the snowpack to our faucets and foods. Along the way, we learn much about California itself as the book describes its rivers, lakes, wetlands, dams, and aqueducts and discusses the role of water in agriculture, the environment, and politics. Essential reading in a state facing the future with an overextended water supply, this fascinating book shows that, for all Californians, every drop counts.

New to this updated edition:

* Additional maps, figures, and photos

* Expanded coverage of potential impacts to precipitation, snowpack, and water supply from climate change

* Updated information about the struggle for water management and potential solutions

* New content about sustainable groundwater use and regulation, desalination, water recycling, stormwater capture, and current proposals for water storage and diversion

It’s no secret that California is currently in a water crisis. With the state enacting an emergency drought plan and some cities establishing strict drought rules, people are looking to conserve as much …

About the Author

David Carle is a former park ranger and the author of California Natural History Guides about water, fire, air, and soil (UC Press), as well as other books in water history and management, including Drowning the Dream: California’s Water Choices at the Millennium and Water and the California Dream. His most recent UC Press book is Traveling the 38th Parallel: A Water Line around the World (2013).

Reviews

"Bottom Line: You cannot hope to fix a "broken" system without some basic understanding of its history, function and opportunities for change. I give Carle's book FIVE STARS for providing that information."—David Zetland

“We can only hope that, someday, such a guide is available for every state in the West.”—High Country News

"This book provides a valuable overview of the problems facing California, but it has implications for the rest of the country. Highly recommended."—Choice

“It’s a comprehensive look at a very complicated subject and a fascinating journey about water.”—Mammoth Times

“The type of book you would hope to see in every welcome basket for every lawmaker coming to Sacramento for the first time. Anyone living in or interested in California should reach such a book.”—Journal Of The American Water Resources Association

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments Introduction—Water Web: Connected Californians

Chapter 1. Tapping into a Planetary Cycle A Great Water Wheel The Vital Molecule “Normal” Weather: Anything but “Average”

Chapter 3. The Distribution System Expanding Watersheds The State Water Project The Central Valley Project Colorado River Delivery Systems The Los Angeles Aqueduct The Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct The Mokelumne Aqueduct The North Bay

Chapter 4. Challenges to California Water Management Climate Change and the Water Cycle Extinction Is Forever A Thirsty Garden Asking Too Much of the Colorado River and the Salton Sea Out of Sight, Out of Control Can You Drink the Water? The Problem Is Us

Chapter 5. Meeting the Challenges: California’s Water Future California Water Law and the Public Trust The Delta, a Tunnel Vision, and a Water Bond Recycle and Reuse: Localizing Water Sustainable Groundwater The Debate over Dams Transfers: Water as a Commodity Clean Water Ecosystem Restoration Lemonade from Lemons: Is Desalination Viable? Will There Be Enough Water?